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Luling business woman gives compassion to homeless, one box at a time

Posted on June 19, 2017 at 3:43 PM

Kristi Duhe Brocato, who grew up in Luling and graduated from Hahnville High School, founded The Basketry, a local business with a philanthropic mission to donate to the homeless of the New Orleans area through the "Big Easy, Big Heart" gift box.

Kristi Duhe Brocato, who grew up in Luling and graduated from Hahnville High School, founded The Basketry, a local business with a philanthropic mission to donate to the homeless of the New Orleans area through the "Big Easy, Big Heart" gift box.(Courtesy of Kristi Duhe Brocato)

Kristi Duhe Brocato hopes to gives the homeless in New Orleans a piece of compassion in a box. Brocato, who grew up in Luling and graduated from Hahnville High School, founded The Basketry, a local business with a philanthropic mission to donate to the homeless of the New Orleans area through the "Big Easy, Big Heart" gift box.

For every "Big Easy, Big Heart" gift box purchased, the company will donate a care box filled with necessities to a homeless shelter in New Orleans. In partnership with Bonfolk, the company will package individual boxes that include a pair of socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and other necessities to be distributed to several homeless shelters throughout the New Orleans area.

"As a small business owner, you rely on your community to help you thrive, and I always try to give back to the people and community who have gotten me where I am today," Brocato said. "Our mission came about as we began designing our new line of curated gift boxes. We thought about how much we love the city's unique culture and wanted to share it with everyone in a way that gave back to the community that has already given us so much."

Items found in the "Big Easy, Big Heart" gift box include New Orleans-themed products including socks, potato chips, root beer, pralines, chocolates, roasted pecans and Mardi Gras beads. To purchase the gift box or find out more about the program, visit The Basketry's website and click on the "Our Give Back Initiative" tab.

The "Big Easy, Big Heart" initiative will run indefinitely, and if successful, will be expanded to include more gift box options. The Basketry hopes to introduce a holiday program as part of their initiative. That will allow the compnay to bring a special gift to everyone in the homeless shelters for every holiday basket or gift box purchased.

"The shelter box is a great initiative by a local company to give back to the community to the people who need it most. I am so proud to be a part of a company that prides itself on its philanthropy as much as its products," Alexandra Laux, a Basketry employee, said.

So, treat yourself and purchase a $60 gift box for yourself or to give as a gift, and the Basketry will donate one to someone who needs it.

The company was founded in 1995. For more information, contact Kristi Brocato at kristi@thebasketry.com or stop by the Luling shop.

Anita Hymel writes about people and community events in the River Parishes. To reach her, email hymelacathome@aol.com.